Neser a step closer to dream debut

Michael Neser thought his chances of representing Australia had passed him by but an 11th-hour call-up to Australia’s Qantas tour of England has put him on the verge of making his dream come true.

Neser will fly to England today as Josh Hazlewood’s replacement after the star quick was ruled out with a back injury to join fellow speedsters Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins on the sidelines.

Now Neser, 28, is a real chance of making his international debut after thinking it might never come.

"It definitely passed my mind at one stage, I thought I wouldn’t’ get a go," Neser said in Brisbane today.  

"But stringing a couple of good seasons, the last two years, I thought it was on the cards. 

"I just kept doing the hard work and hopefully it’s going to pay off and I play a game for Australia."

Representing Australia was far from his mind when as a 10-year-old he and his family moved from South Africa to the Gold Coast.

Born in Pretoria, Neser now calls Australia home but he has family in South Africa, who, despite recent events, were over the moon upon learning the news of his national selection.

"Mum was through the roof," he said. "She was crying over the phone last night, just tears of joy.

"Even my family back in South Africa, they called me straight away when they found out and they’re through the roof. 

"I’ve got a loving family who’s supported me throughout my life and I’m sure they’ll support me even though they’re South African, they’ll still support me on the field playing for Australia."

A breakout season in 2017-18 started with the allrounder smashing his maiden 50-over century for Queensland, a whirlwind knock that included eight fours, seven sixes and almost delivered the Bulls an unlikely win over eventual JLT One-Day Cup champions Western Australia.

He backed up that by playing a key role in Adelaide Strikers’ charge to the KFC BBL title and finished the domestic season in style with 39 first-class wickets in Queensland’s triumphant JLT Sheffield Shield campaign.

"It was a fantastic year," he said. "I had a lot of fun this year and I enjoyed my cricket whether it was T20, one-dayers and Sheffield Shield with Queensland. 

"I was just lucky to be surrounded by lot of good players this year." 

Qantas tours of England and Zimbabwe

ODI squad: Tim Paine (c), Aaron Finch (vc), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye

T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth

Qantas Tour of England

June 7: Warm-up v Sussex, Hove (D/N)

June 9: Warm-up v Middlesex, Lord's

June 13: First ODI, The Oval (D/N)

June 16: Second ODI, Cardiff

June 19: Third ODI, Trent Bridge (D/N)

June 21: Fourth ODI, Durham (D/N)

June 24: Fifth ODI, Old Trafford

June 27: Only T20, Edgbaston (D/N)

Qantas T20I tri-series Tour of Zimbabwe

Sunday, July 1: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

Monday, July 2: Pakistan vs Australia

Tuesday, July 3: Australia vs Zimbabwe

Wednesday, July 4: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

Thursday, July 5: Pakistan vs Australia

Friday, July 6: Australia vs Zimbabwe

Sunday, July 8: Final